Four charged with possessing marijuana

AMARILLO (AP)  Four West Texas men have been charged with possession of about 6,000 pounds of marijuana with intent to distribute after allegedly driving a tractor-trailer loaded with the drug.

James Nolan Johnson Jr., 44, of Odessa; Heber Soto-Salinas, 24, of Dumas; Angel Borunda, 48, of Spearman; and Hugo Borunda-Barrera, 34, of Dumas, were in federal custody Friday at the Potter County Jail.

They were arrested March 2 after allegedly driving to Dumas from Study Butte, near Big Bend National Park. Authorities estimated the street value of the drugs at about $3 million.

The bust came after federal authorities received a tip. Agents said that when they emptied the truck, they found 118 sugar sacks filled with marijuana.

DEA Special Agent Lonny Watson said he wasn't sure whether the marijuana seizure is the largest in the Panhandle, but it certainly ranks near the top.